Want to have a one-on-one conversation with your favorite idol? Tired of front-row seats that cost a fortune? Look no further – underground idols are exactly what you’ve been seeking. Polar opposite of above ground idols, who have massive celebrity status and media following, underground idols are independent performers who operate outside the mainstream industry.

Underground idols, commonly abbreviated to “DIU,” have a dedicated fanbase and perform in small, local venues. The shows are typically structured as combo performances, where a single ticket allows you to see multiple groups on stage, offering a diverse experience with something for everyone. After the show, fans can purchase additional tickets for special events such as Polaroid photoshoots, meet-and-greet conversations, and autograph sessions.

The underground idol, also known as “chika” idols, originated from Japan. The most well-known group is AKB48, which popularized the slogan “idols you can meet.” Seeing its success, AKB48’s producer, Yasushi Akimoto, expanded the concept to other Asian countries, including a sister branch in Shanghai. 

Closer Bonds and Real Connections

But why have fans turned to underground idols? In a RedNote vlog, one fan remarked, “It doesn’t matter if they can’t sing, as long as they know how to charm the fans.” Another said, “I can chat with them, they encourage me like they are my friends.”

Frequent attendees will find idols recognizing their name and past conversations during meet and greets. Even after the performances, idols continue to engage with their fans on social media, fostering an interactive relationship. Underground idols are more akin to a talented friend that provides emotional support rather than a celebrity that’s distant and out of reach.

RADII spoke with Yilv, a diehard idol fan, who attends shows every week whenever her favorite group is performing. She explained that in China, there aren’t many opportunities for mainstream idols to tour and debut new songs. “It feels like they are playing the part of being an idol without offering anything substantial for fans to enjoy.” Yilv also noted, “Of course, we want more interactions with idols, but even their Weibo accounts are completely managed by staff. It’s not a very immersive experience.”

When asked what she enjoys most about underground idols, Yilv shared, “Aside from the emotional support, underground idol groups give you something to look forward to. If all you do is go to work and come back home, having a show to attend on the weekend gives you something to look forward to. But with mainstream idols, there are only so many opportunities to see them live every few years.” It seems like being able to regularly see and interact with your favorite idol makes fans feel more justified in dedicating financial support. 

Costs, Operations, and Gender Ratio

Another major appeal of underground idols is affordability. Yilv noted that supporting underground idols costs over ten times less than above ground idols. She calculated that she only spent around 18,000 RMB ($2,487 USD) on underground idols this year – a fraction of what it costs to see a mainstream idol just once.

Tickets for underground performances range from less than 100 RMB ($14 USD) to around 200 RMB ($28 USD). While post-show special events, such as autographs, pictures, and chatting, cost less than 100 RMB ($14 USD) per session. In contrast, tickets for a mainstream idol’s stadium show can cost thousands. Yilv said on RedNote, “Although mainstream idols outrank underground idols in fame, the emotional value they provide does not differ.”

Underground idols operate in two ways, some are completely independent, while others are affiliated with an agency. Agencies provide stage costumes, licensed songs, advertisements, and greater exposure. However, it doesn’t always mean higher earnings, as idol groups must share the profits with their agency. While the ratio is about half and half, most underground idols begin as self-operated and choose to join an agency when they gain more popularity.

Underground idol groups are also separated into girl and boy groups, with different audience compositions. There are more men at girl group performances and vice versa. “For girl groups, the gender ratio is about seventy to eighty percent male,” Yilv shared, “But for boy groups, you’ll only see a handful of male fans in a crowd of hundreds.”

The DIY Scene

Similar to other underground movements – such as China’s early punk scene – creativity is always highly appreciated. Fans will decorate Polaroid photos taken with their favorite idols in unique ways, while independent idols will design and sew their own stage costumes. An underground idol group mentioned in their RedNote vlog, “Since we don’t have an agency, we do each other’s makeup and sew our own costumes. Each piece takes over 20 hours.”

Yilv has also handcrafted a stage costume for her favorite idol, Shasha, from the Moonquakes (月震). Yilv has been a fan of Shasha since 2018, when she was still a member of SHN48. Yilv shared, “She put a lot of trust in me and appreciated my craftsmanship…So when she found out I knew how to sew, she asked me to make a stage costume for her.” Later, Yilv was commissioned by the Moonquakes to design six stage costumes for the entire group, a process that took over 3 months to complete.

Fans Flying High

At shows, the audience sections are divided into two areas, the center is for active fans performing wotagei (or yingyuan 应援 in Chinese), a set of choreographed cheers and chants specific to each idol group. While the sidelines are reserved for more passive fans, or like Yilv, who is devoted to taking professional photos of her favorite idol. 

A popular wotagei cheer is called Flying (qifei 起飞), involving two fans lifting another onto their shoulders to cheer and chant. When you’re Flying, you’re much closer to the stage and have a better chance of interacting with the idols.

But the sectioned audience formation also leads to conflicts, Yilv mentioned, “There’s always friction between the fan photographers and the Flyers. They curse each other out and sometimes the Flyers would deliberately bump into the photographers”

A Human Touch

Underground idols are far more unregulated, they are raw and unfiltered compared to the highly polished and media-trained mainstream idols on the big screen. The accessibility and affordability makes seeing underground idols a fun weekend activity. While the DIY aspect of the scene also encourages collaboration between the idols and fans, fostering a close-knit community.

Instead of cheering for untouchable stars from afar, underground idols provide fans with interactions on a personal level. With much more chaos, creativity, and emotional connections, underground idols are here for an entirely new kind of stardom – one that feels a little bit more human. 

Cover image via Weibo.